Father of woman seriously injured in death crash calls for tougher laws on teen drivers
Kathryn Forman lost control of car while flicking cigarette out of window, resulting in death of retired teacher
The father of a teenage girl severely injured in a crash which killed a retired school teacher has written to Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf calling for a toughening of the law on young drivers.
Christina Barnett was seriously hurt when Kathryn Forman lost control of her car while flicking a cigarette out of the window, mounting the kerb before crashing head-on into another vehicle in which grandmother of three Dorothy Cruickshank was a passenger. Mrs Cruickshank, 66, suffered extensive injuries and died in hospital 10 days later. Forman’s car was thrown into the air by the force of the crash, on the Peterhead to Ellon road in April last year, landing on its side in the middle of the road. Her passenger Christina was initially paralysed from the chest down and spent 12 weeks in hospital. The 19-year-old last month pled guilty to causing Mrs Cruickshank’s death by careless driving and will be sentenced on Tuesday. Now Christina’s dad Scott Barnett, a former police drugs squad officer, has written to Mr Yousaf calling for young drivers who are involved in serious crashes to have their licence quickly withdrawn – in the same way that those driving under the influence of drink or drugs can have their licence immediately taken off them. In his letter, he said: “What I am most concerned with is the time period between the collision and the surrender of the offender’s driving licence. A total of almost 16 months between a fatal road accident and the person responsible being prevented from driving is completely unacceptable.
“My daughter continues to live in the same town as Ms Forman, seeing her driving around in the past few months has caused her some concern as well as a sense that justice has not been done in any sensible timeframe. “In cases of driving under the influence of drink or drugs, the accused is generally released on an undertaking to appear shortly after the alleged offence or appears from custody. This means that the licence is withdrawn as quickly as possible, reducing the risk to other road users from repeat offending, which is in marked contrast to cases where no drink or drugs are involved but death or injuries to other road users are.” Last month fiscal depute David Barclay told Aberdeen Sheriff Court that one of Forman’s passengers “speaks to seeing the accused smoking and turning slightly towards her door so that she could put her cigarette out the back of the driver’s window”. He added: “At this point the vehicle mounted the kerb and verge to its nearside, the accused attempted to counter steer, which caused the vehicle to swerve out of control.” Forman’s Peugeot car entered the opposing carriageway and collided with the front of the Volkswagen Passat being driven by Mrs Cruickshank’s husband, causing it to be “propelled sideways”. Mr Barclay said: “On impact the accused’s vehicle was thrown upwards, spun over 360 degrees and came to rest on its nearside in the middle of the carriageway.” Christina, also 19, suffered a dislocated spine, a broken collar bone, five broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a broken pelvis, two broken ankles and bruising on the brain. She has made a slow recovery, being able to stand for the first time after seven weeks and walking with crutches after nine weeks. She is now able to walk unaided, but tires quickly and begins to limp. She said: “I don’t know if I will ever be able to work, my life has been ruined by bad driving and a moment of madness.” She said: “I know it won’t happen but I would like to see her going to jail. Kathryn was going too fast. I remember the alarm going off. “She’s killed a lady and injured me and the others.” Christina also supports the idea of new drivers facing some restrictions – which is currently being considered by the British Government. She said: “I think there should be a 50mile-an-hour limit for people who have just passed their test. She supported the idea of young drivers having a “black box” fitted that would monitor their driving. These devices monitor speed, what time of day journeys are made, and through breaking and cornering forces, how the car is being driven. Insurance firms then charge lower premiums to careful drivers. Christina said: “And all young drivers should have a black box fitted. I’ve got one on my Corsa”. Forman was hospitalised too, suffering a fractured spine, jaw, pelvis and swelling to the brain. Her defence agent Gavin Anderson told the court she had also suffered psychological consequences as a result of the crash. The driver of the Passatt, a 70-year-old man, and two other passengers in the Peugeot, were also injured. Kathryn Forman’s parents declined to comment when approached by the Sunday Post. She did not return our call.